Five things to watch when Red Wings host Rangers

The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings were major players at the NHL Trade Deadline earlier this week. Their latest additions will be on display in front of a nationally televised audience Wednesday.

The Rangers, who acquired defenseman Keith Yandle from the Arizona Coyotes and center James Sheppard from the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, are one point shy of first place in the Metropolitan Division heading into this week's Wednesday Night Rivalry game against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, SN1).

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Yandle, who should give the Rangers' power-play a boost, made his debut in a 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators on Monday. Sheppard should play his first game for New York (39-17-6) on Wednesday.

The Red Wings (35-15-11), who acquired forward Erik Cole from the Dallas Stars on Sunday and defenseman Marek Zidlicky from the New Jersey Devils on Monday, trail the Montreal Canadiens by six points for the Atlantic Division lead. Detroit will be seeking its third consecutive win.

Here are five things to watch in the game between the Rangers and Red Wings:

1. Cole expected to skate with Zetterberg

The Red Wings were all smiles during practice Tuesday when they welcomed Cole and Zidlicky to the group. Detroit coach Mike Babcock placed the veteran forward on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader. Cole, who had 18 goals and 15 assists for the Stars this season, said he expects the transition to go smoothly.

"Definitely a good tempo to the practice and the guys told me it was actually a lighter one to come into," Cole told the Red Wings website. "But the system I was playing in Dallas has a lot of similarities just explained a little differently and more attention to detail. I think it's something I should be comfortable in and good to get here and get my legs going again after not being on the ice for two days."

2. Yandle

It's been a whirlwind couple of days for Yandle, who after being traded Sunday flew from Phoenix to New York in time to make his Rangers debut against Nashville on Monday. Yandle played 19:41 and had three shots on goal in the victory.

Yandle participated in his first practice Tuesday and should feel a bit more acclimated when the puck drops in Detroit. With his former team playing out the schedule, Yandle is thrilled to have an opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup.

"I was pretty, pretty excited," Yandle told Blueshirts United about the trade. "It was my first time being traded and to have the opportunity to come here, such a great team and a great organization, an Original Six team, playing in the best city in the world. It's special for me and I'm looking forward to it."

3. Zidlicky

One could make a case the Red Wings have been missing a right-handed weapon on their blue line since Brian Rafalski retired in 2011, but Zidlicky's arrival makes the NHL's top-ranked power play (25 percent) even more formidable.

Zidlicky, 36, had four goals and 19 assists in 63 games for the Devils this season. He's expected to be paired with Brendan Smith, which gives the Red Wings a solid lefty-righty combo.

"Detroit is big city, big hockey town," said Zidlicky, who agreed to waive his no-trade clause. "I played a lot of times here and I really enjoyed the games here. It was pretty tough. Detroit is top of the teams. That's why I'm here."

James Sheppard

Center - NYR

GOALS: 5 | ASST: 11 | PTS: 16
SOG: 68 | +/-: -3

New York's second acquisition prior to the trade deadline did not make his debut against Nashville, but Sheppard practiced Tuesday and is expected to be in uniform for the Rangers in Detroit. Sheppard had five goals and 11 assists in 57 games for San Jose.

"It's a whole different team and a whole different kind of mentality, but it's a team that works well together," Sheppard told Blueshirts United. "You have big names but you have everyone on the team kind of contributing and getting the job done. To have them go to the Cup Finals last year and be as powerful as they are this year, [it's] great to be an addition and hopefully I can chip in somewhere."

Sheppard played left wing alongside Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast on Tuesday, but coach Alain Vigneault said where Sheppard will play will be determined after he meets with coaches in Detroit on Wednesday morning. Sheppard won 50 percent of his faceoffs with San Jose this season, so it's conceivable he's moved to center at some point.

5. Rangers open tough road trip

Wednesday marks the beginning of a five-game road trip for the Rangers, four of which are against Stanley Cup Playoff-bound teams (Detroit, the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals). With five points separating the top four spots in the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers know they need to start their trip on the right foot.

"It's going to be another huge test," captain Ryan McDonagh said. "Like everybody down the stretch here, everybody is improving and playing better and getting more chemistry and figuring out their strengths, so for us, we know what makes us successful. You could see it [Monday] night. We utilized our speed and grinded it out in the offensive zone and made plays. [We] have to continue to defend hard and that's going to be our key and we'll go from there in Detroit."

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